Expression of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and mineralocorticoid receptor in primary lung carcinomas.

We examined the immunohistochemical distribution of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11 beta HSD2) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in 63 primary lung carcinomas. Immunoreactivity of 11 beta HSD2 and MR was detected in 37 cases and in 32 cases of 42 adenocarcinomas, respectively. There was a significant correlation between 11 beta HSD2 and MR immunoreactivity. In three adenosquamous carcinomas, both 11 beta HSD2 and MR were detected only in adenocarcinomatous components. Neither 15 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 small cell carcinomas nor 1 large cell carcinoma expressed 11 beta HSD2 or MR. In papillary and acinar adenocarcinomas, both 11 beta HSD2 and MR immunoreactivity was significantly correlated with the grade of histological differentiation. The patterns of 11 beta HSD2 and MR expression in 10 lymph-node metastases were similar to those determined in the primary lesions. These data suggest that the patterns of 11 beta HSD2 and MR expression may reflect cellular origin and differentiation status of primary lung adenocarcinomas and serve as a new useful marker of differentiation.